Question

Explain the following lines: “The house withdrew into silence, snakes moved. Among books I was then too young to read, and my blood turned cold like the moon.”

Hint:

Kamala Das often uses the imagery of childhood and home to depict loss and emotional emptiness.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Context.
These lines are from the poem “My Grandmother’s House” by Kamala Das. The poet recalls her childhood home, which now lies silent and lonely after her grandmother’s death.
Step 2: Explanation.
The “house withdrew into silence” symbolizes the loss of warmth and love that once filled it. The poet, too young then, felt fear and emptiness, described through the image of her blood turning “cold like the moon.” The house, now inhabited by snakes and silence, reflects death and emotional void.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The poet uses the imagery of silence and coldness to express her grief and longing for lost affection.